FC Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is currently recovering from back surgery. Even once he returns, it feels as though his career at the club may be nearing its end, with Joan Garcia trusted as the No. 1 this season.
With ter Stegen inching closer to a return, speculation is rife about what the future holds for him. The German is certainly not short of interest, and Premier League clubs in particular are taking a close look at his situation.
According to Fichajes, three factors could determine a potential move to Tyneside for the 33-year-old. First, ter Stegen has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and will have to prove his fitness.
If he can do that, the next consideration would be the player accepting a slightly less prominent role than he is used to at Barcelona. The Magpies are also likely to offer lower wages, and the player would need to agree to this.
Finally, Barcelona and Newcastle must reach an agreement on the transfer to allow ter Stegen to leave after more than a decade at the club. A move to England is therefore unlikely to be straightforward for the veteran.
Ter Stegen has been Barcelona’s undisputed No. 1 for almost his entire time there. However, he has not performed at the level expected of him in the past couple of seasons, with his body often letting him down.
The next few months should provide a definitive direction on the future of the German international. We will have to wait and see whether any club makes an offer to sign him in January.
